Prior information on promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs
The Enterprise DG of the European Commission has issued prior information on a call for tenders for the promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises). 1. Study on the obstacles to self-employment and to setting up businesses in the Member States. The aim of the study is to obtain an overall, but nonetheless detailed, picture of the situation for European employees who wish to become self-employed or set up their own company. The study will concentrate on the structural obstacles created by the legal and administrative systems in the EU countries, particularly with regard to provisions on taxation, social security, labour legislation and the code of civil law. The study will also analyse the legal provisions on business spin-offs (and similar procedures) and their inherent problems for employees. 2. Service/business education network in Europe. Extension of the existing network to the applicant countries, updating of data and prices in the database. The project will fit into an operational framework and will involve enlarging the existing network geographically but not overhauling it. 3. Service/development of an Internet-based questionnaire linked to a relational database via automatic declaration of key data on mutual benefit societies in the Member States. This project has two aims. The first is to develop a software programme with an Internet data entry form via a questionnaire in 11 languages (translation will be the Commission's responsibility) based on a relational database available on the market and already used by the Commission. This tool will be provided by the consultant in a form whereby the Internet data entry form can be installed directly onto the Enterprise DG website. Secondly, the services of a statistical expert are to be provided (2 weeks) to help the consultant design the database (maximum 1 week) and to help the Commission analyse the results. 4. Expert services for a review of the legal and tax framework for mutual benefit societies in the Member States. In order to prepare an analytical document on the legal and tax situation of mutual benefit societies in the Member States, the consultant, either directly or via contact networks in the Member States, will be required to review the legal and tax framework for mutual benefit societies using a questionnaire - provided by the Commission - and a presentation in Brussels. The work will be undertaken as office-based research while the consultant will coordinate and consolidate the research in the Member States. 5. Expert services for a review of the legal and tax framework for mutual benefit societies in the applicant countries. In order to prepare an analytical document on the legal and tax situation of mutual benefit societies, the consultant, either directly or via contact networks in the applicant countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey), will be required to review the legal and tax framework for mutual benefit societies using a questionnaire - provided by the Commission - and a presentation in Brussels. The work will be undertaken as office-based research while the consultant will coordinate and consolidate the research in the applicant countries. 6. Study on how accessible public procurement is for SMEs. The study involves statistical analysis, a comparative study and identifying good practices with regard to how accessible 'European size' public procurement within the EU Member States is for SMEs. 7. Study to highlight changes in bank loans for Member State SMEs. Study services.For further information, please contact: European Commission Directorate-General Enterprise B-1049 Brussels Project 1: T. Jaegers SC27 3/21 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2991587 Fax: +32-2-2966278 Project 2: F. Lemmel SC27 3/20 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2993734 Fax: +32-2-2966278 Projects 3, 4 and 5: K. Koerner SC27 4/27 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2993185 Fax: +32-2-2954590 Project 6: F. Ianniello SC274/38 B-1049 Brussels Tel: + 32-2-2955155 Fax: +32-2-2954590 Project 7: V. Vanhanen SC27 4/18 B-1049 Brussels Tel: + 32-2-2992151 Fax: +32-2-2992154